List of Natural Laxatives

Natural laxatives are beneficial for a smooth bowel movement and provide relief from constipation, without any unwanted side effects. Get to know about the list of natural laxatives through this article and cure your constipation naturally and effectively.

HolisticZine Staff

Constipation can become very troublesome if not taken care of in time. There are many medicines and supplements available that help to get rid of this problem. However, these pills and medications may trigger some side effects which may further result in other complications. Hence to avoid such circumstances you can take natural laxatives which can help you to get rid of this problem in a natural and safe way. Laxatives draw water into the colon and makes the stool soft which can then be eliminated easily. There are many fruits and vegetables which behave as natural laxatives and help our body to overcome the problems of constipation. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss a list of natural laxatives which are safe and without any side effects.

Foods that are Natural Laxatives

Before going through the foods that are natural laxatives you need to know how these natural laxatives work. The food which we eat, breaks down into two parts: insoluble and soluble fibers. Insoluble fibers are the substances which cannot be broken down into simpler form, hence it is not used by the body. They are just excreted out of the body in the form of hard stool. But the other part of the food which is the soluble part, absorbs water and forms a gel-like substance which further softens the hard stool and facilitates a smooth bowel movement. These foods not just help in constipation but they also provide the body with vitamins and other minerals. Here are some of the best natural laxatives which can be very helpful in providing relief from constipation.

✔ Flaxseed is commonly used as a laxative. It is a good dietary food which not only helps in proper bowel movement but also gives nutrition to our body.✔ Leafy green vegetables and roughage are very helpful as laxatives. The cellulose present in these plants are not absorbed by the body. They are moved to the small intestine where they help in the bowel movement.✔ Prune juice is rich in vitamin A, potassium and iron. It is one of the best natural laxatives. Prunes can also be included in the daily diet for relief from this distressing condition.✔ Omega-3 oils like avocado, flax-seed, hemp and olive oil can cure constipation in an effective manner. These cooking oils absorb the toxins for elimination and lubricate the walls of the intestine, thereby easing the passage of food.✔ Coconut oil is another excellent remedy to relieve the pain and irritation caused due to constipation. This oil reduces inflammation caused due to hemorrhoids, improves bowel function and digestion, helps in tissue repair and healing etc.✔ Other foods that act as natural laxatives to treat bowel irregularity are cayenne pepper, ginger, turmeric and raw apple cider vinegar.

List of Good Natural Laxatives

Following is a list of some of the most common but effective natural laxatives. You can use these laxatives when you feel constipated. They are natural and hence very safe to use. This list includes vegetables, fruits and other beneficial herbs.

Okra

Nuts

Peas

Corn

Figs

Apple

Dates

Plums

Peach

Almond

Olives

Walnut

Turnip

Endive

Tomato

Garlic

Grapes

Spinach

Carrots

Chicory

Parsley

Alfalfa

Rhubarb

Mangoes

Hot Tea

Mangoes

Legumes

Avocado

Coconut

Lentils

Peanuts

Oatmeal

Peanuts

Molasses

Cherries

Soybeans

Apricots

Triphala

Broccoli

Aloe Gel

Dandelion

Aloe Vera

Senna Pods

Watercress

Lima beans

Wheat germ

Cassia Pulp

Whole wheat

Low fat milk

Bran Cereals

Angelica root

Spanish onion

Turkey Rhubarb

Buckthorn Bark

Tamarind leaves

Cascara Sagrada

Sunflower seeds

Dandelion Leaves

Psyllium Husks and Seeds

Health Benefits of Natural Laxatives

By now you know the list of some of the beneficial natural laxatives. A regular inclusion of these foods helps in improving bowel movement and keeping disorders at bay. Mentioned below are some of the health benefits of these laxatives.

These laxatives are natural and hence do not show any side effects like intestinal irritation, blood in stool, digestive problems, etc.

They do not cause weight gain and hence are very helpful for the figure conscious crowd.

They strengthen the colon and help in a proper bowel movement.

They can be used for a prolonged period of time as they do not show any harmful effects.

So we can say that natural laxatives as a cure for relieving constipation is the best and safe option. Try to make your diet rich in fibers and healthy foods. Natural laxatives are also very safe for children. You just need to keep their age in mind while giving these foods. Besides, do not forget to drink plenty of water so as to support the working of natural laxatives. Exercises can also help in getting relief from the troubles of constipation. We hope the above information was enriching and helpful. Eat healthy and stay fit!